Growing Number of U.S. Diesel Vehicle Options Mirrors Growth in U.S. Biodiesel Industry

San Diego, Ca. – Having just achieved its largest production year yet, the U.S. biodiesel industry is building upon its strengths during the 2014 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo this week in San Diego, Jan. 20-23 at the San Diego Convention Center. At the same time, more than 44 new 2014 clean diesel car, truck and SUV models are beginning to arrive in dealership showrooms nationwide, offering U.S. consumers more options than ever before in their quest to drive cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles capable of running on domestic, renewable biodiesel blends.

Attendees at the 2014 National Biodiesel Conference heard from automakers, fleets and consumers alike why the use of biodiesel, America’s Advanced Biofuel, in today’s new technology diesel engines is truly a winning combination for California and the entire nation. In addition to a number of educational sessions featuring automotive experts, the National Biodiesel Conference offered its attendees and the San Diego public the opportunity to experience firsthand the power and performance of biodiesel in the 2014 National Biodiesel Ride-and-Drive and Vehicle Showcase events at the San Diego Convention Center.

FEATURED BIODIESEL-POWERED VEHICLES AND FLEETS INCLUDED:

• UC San Diego, one of San Diego’s best known green fleets, showcased its eye-catching Bluebird bus with a Caterpillar C7 engine, providing UCSD students with a cleaner commute on B20 biodiesel blends since 2008.

• Hino Trucks showcased its new game-changer: the Hino COE 195h hybrid truck, which is making its mark in the medium duty truck segment running clean and quiet on B20 biodiesel blends and electric power.

• Chrysler featured its new B20-approved 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel, equipped with a 3.0L EcoDiesel engine and boasting a best-in-class highway fuel economy rating of up to 30 mpg, running over 730 miles on one tank of fuel.

• Ford Motor Company presented its brand new 2014 Ford F350 Super Duty, America’s best-selling truck for over 35 straight years, built Ford tough and approved for use with B20 biodiesel blends.

• And General Motors showcased its new 2014 Chevy Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel, the first light duty passenger car in the U.S. to be fully approved for use with B20 biodiesel blends nationwide, and the winner of the biodiesel industry’s coveted Innovation Award for 2014.

Chris Farmer, Manager of Aftersales for Chevrolet Southern California, accepted the Innovation Award on behalf of General Motors during Tuesday’s General Session. Farmer stated, “When we set out to make the Cruze Diesel, innovation was top of mind. The decision to become the first passenger car diesel that can use up to B20 biodiesel blends was an easy one. Our engineering, powertrain and marketing teams focused on creating a car that was more capable, more powerful and more fun to drive than any other passenger car diesel available today. The Cruze Diesel gets an EPA estimated 46-MPG highway and 717 miles of range – the best fuel economy of any non-hybrid passenger car in America. The entire Chevrolet team is proud of the Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel and thank you again for recognizing the hard work, dedication and innovation which went into this very special vehicle.”

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Biodiesel is an advanced biofuel made from sustainable resources such as soybean oil, recycled grease and other fats and oils. It is the first and only EPA-designated Advanced Biofuel being produced on a commercial scale across the country. For more information on automaker support for biodiesel, click here.